Kristi Yamaguchi Shares Her Move For Killer Quads (After All, She Is a Championship Ice Skater)

Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi is pretty much an artist on ice, never mind what she can do in the air! The mom of two, who's partnered with Smuckers for their Uncrustables family photo contest, knows the importance of staying active whether it's skating, Dancing with the Stars, or running around with her kids.

"[I love] the challenges of doing the jumps and spins and tricks on the ice," she says.

Without a doubt, her crazy successful career is due in large part to her super powerful legs (Hello, triple axel!). “In skating, all the lower body muscles need to be strong because you’re constantly in that flexed position–that’s where your power comes from,” she adds.

Yamaguchi relies on a slightly more dynamic version of the lunge to keep her lower body strong. Whether you’ve got smooth moves on ice, or prefer to stay put on solid ground, here’s a serious (but simple!) way to strengthen your stems.

THE MOVE: LUNGE

Works: quads, hamstrings, glutes

Stand upright with one leg in front of the other in a relaxed lunge position. Release your forward standing leg firmly into lunge position. Contract your hamstring muscles, focusing on using that muscle, keeping front leg bent at 90 degrees. Once you catch yourself, hold for 10 counts, then straighten up, keeping your abs contracted and torso upright. Come up to standing position again. Maintain more of an explosive movement versus up and down. Do 30 reps on each leg.